Apparatus and method for rotating avian enclosures

ABSTRACT

An apparatus and method provide rotation of avian enclosures. In a first mode of operation, the apparatus automatically rotates the avian enclosure at a slow speed when a bird is detected, and automatically rotates the avian enclosure at a faster speed when a larger animal, such as a squirrel, is detected. In a second mode of operation, the apparatus may be controlled using a wireless remote control to perform a desired action. In a third mode of operation, the apparatus sends one or more signals via wireless transmission to a wireless notification device, which notifies a user of the presence of a bird or a larger animal. The user then has the option of using a wireless remote control to perform a desired action, which may include rotating the avian enclosure at a desired speed, stopping rotation of the avian enclosure, activating a beeper or vibrator, etc.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Divisional of my earlier application of the sametitle, Ser. No. 10/698,298, filed on Oct. 31, 2003, which is aContinuation-In-Part (CIP) of my earlier patent application “APPARATUSFOR DETERRING ANIMALS FROM AVIAN ENCLOSURES”, Ser. No. 09/900,807 filedon Jul. 6, 2001, which is a continuation of “METHOD FOR DETERRINGANIMALS FROM AVIAN ENCLOSURES”, Ser. No. 09/480,936 filed on Jan. 11,2000, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.60/164,451 filed on Nov. 11, 1999. All of these related applications areincorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Technical Field

The present invention generally relates to avian enclosures andaccessories to avian enclosures. More specifically, the inventionrelates to apparatus and methods for rotating avian enclosures.

2. Background Art

One of main purposes of avian enclosures for their owners is theenjoyment of watching birds. Unfortunately, rodents consume largequantities of birdseed and, worst yet, destroy birdfeeders andbirdhouses due to their aggressive nature. The most vulnerable feedersare the ones made out of plastic or wooden parts that squirrels willeventually chew on and destroy. As a result, people cannot enjoywatching birds at the same time while worrying about squirrels, or otherrodents, damaging and/or scaring away birds from their feeders orhouses.

Many attempts have been made in the prior art to develop, eitherinternal or external to a birdfeeder, mechanisms that try to activelyprotect feeders by repelling rodents. Many of these use a cruel andinhumane electrical shock on the squirrels. For example, U.S. Pat. No.5,191,857 to Boaz uses a large umbrella-shaped electrical shockingsquirrel guard above the feeder. However, squirrels can get around thisdevice simply by leaping onto the feeder from a nearby tree or from theground. Other attempts shown by U.S. Pat. No. 2,856,898 to Doubleday etal., U.S. Pat. No. 5,937,788 to Boyd, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,471,951 toCollins all incorporate an electrical-shocking device within the feederitself. However, defense mechanisms of these types can generally befigured-out by the squirrels who are both cunning and very determined.Over time, the squirrels train themselves where to step and where not tostep in order to avoid getting shocked.

Other attempts in the prior art have tried more passive devices such asplastic baffles for deterring squirrels that are inherently designed tobe very large and bulky devices. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,327,669 toBlasbalg, U.S. Pat. No. 5,642,687 to Nylen, and U.S. Pat. No. 4,031,856to Chester all use some sort of large umbrella-shaped squirrel guardlocated either above and/or below the feeder. However, the effectivenessof these passive devices is even worse than the previously mentionedactive devices since the squirrel will not only defeat the device, theywill also destroy the device in the process by chewing on it repeatedly.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

An apparatus and method provide rotation of avian enclosures. In a firstmode of operation, the apparatus automatically rotates the avianenclosure at a slow speed when a bird is detected, and automaticallyrotates the avian enclosure at a faster speed when a larger animal, suchas a squirrel, is detected. In a second mode of operation, the apparatusmay be controlled using a wireless remote control to perform a desiredaction. In a third mode of operation, the apparatus sends one or moresignals via wireless transmission to a wireless notification device,which notifies a user of the presence of a bird or a larger animal. Theuser then has the option of using a wireless remote control to perform adesired action, which may include rotating the avian enclosure at adesired speed, stopping rotation of the avian enclosure, activating abeeper or vibrator, etc.

The foregoing and other features and advantages of the invention will beapparent from the following more particular description of preferredembodiments of the invention, as illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The preferred embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter bedescribed in conjunction with the appended drawings, where likedesignations denote like elements, and:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an apparatus in accordance with thepreferred embodiments;

FIG. 2 is a cut-away cross-sectional side view of the apparatus of FIG.1;

FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the apparatus of FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram of the apparatus of FIGS. 1-3 inaccordance with a first embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram of a method performed by the apparatus of FIG.4 in accordance with the first embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a detailed block diagram of an apparatus in accordance withthe first embodiment;

FIGS. 7 and 8 show different portions of a detailed flow diagram of amethod performed by the apparatus of FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is a functional block diagram of the apparatus of FIGS. 1-3 inaccordance with a second embodiment;

FIGS. 10 and 11 are flow diagrams of methods performed by the apparatusof FIG. 9 in accordance with the second embodiment;

FIG. 12 is a functional block diagram of the apparatus of FIGS. 1-3 inaccordance with a third embodiment;

FIG. 13 is a flow diagram of a method performed by the apparatus of FIG.12 in accordance with the third embodiment;

FIG. 14 is a detailed block diagram of an apparatus in accordance withthe third embodiment;

FIG. 15 is a top view of a remote control in accordance with the secondand third embodiments;

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of an apparatus in accordance with thepreferred embodiments mounted to a pole; and

FIG. 17 is a perspective view showing a user controlling the apparatusof the second and third embodiments with a remote control.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to an apparatus and method ofdeterring rodents, such as squirrels, from avian enclosures by rotatingthe enclosures about their vertical axis. To accomplish this task, therotating device must spin the feeder at a high enoughrevolutions-per-minute suitable to make the squirrel dizzy and/ornauseated. Through experimentation, a revolutions-per-minute of between70 and 100 was found to make those squirrels that jump onto a feederwant to jump back off. Results so far have shown that, at these speeds,the squirrel becomes light-headed and/or agitated due to the significantcentrifugal force generated from the rotating avian enclosure.Consequently, the squirrels always jump off after a brief period of timeof usually less than 15 seconds. However, to be safe, the enclosureshould be allowed to run at least one minute especially forbattery-operated devices which may start to slow down after thebatteries start to drain. In addition, it was found that squirrelsgenerally will not try to board an already rotating feeder. So, as aresult, an optimum system is one that senses the rodents prior to themjumping onto the feeder. The feeders can then be activated before therodent even has a chance to eat any food.

The devices chosen to accomplish this method should also be flexibleenough to rotate the enclosures at very slow speeds. This is desirablewhen birds land to allow the birdwatcher to see all sides of theirenclosure. The rotational speed has to be slow enough to not scare awaythe birds. Through experimentation, it was found that a rotational speedof less than about six revolutions-per-minute will usually suffice innot scaring off any birds perched on the rotating feeder. However therevolutions-per-minute speed should not be too low as to become almostboring to watch. As a result, it was determined that about a threerevolutions-per-minute is a safe and yet interesting rotational speed.

The electrical and/or mechanical rotating device ultimately chosen forthis invention should take some or all of the above specifications intoaccount. Also for the convenience of the user, the device may functionwithout user intervention. For example, the device should have thecapability to sense when the rodents or birds are on the feeder anddiscriminate between the two in order to decide whether to rotate thefeeder fast or slow. Also for the convenience of the user, the devicecan have a remote-control capability that notifies the birdwatcher whensomething is in their feeder. The birdwatcher should then have theflexibility to decide what to do next to, for example, rotate the feederto a variably fast speed or activate a very loud buzzer. Lastly, sincesome rodents are very smart, the device, if it is hanging from a tree,should also have the capability to sense when a rodent is trying toclimb down from above. Some possible electrical/mechanical apparatusesthat meet the above specifications of the invention will now bedescribed in detail.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 where a preferred embodiment of theinvention, a hanging apparatus 100, is shown having a top hook 102 beingsuspended by a mounting hook 110 which is attached to suitable supportsuch as a tree limb 162 which is part of a larger tree 160. A typicalbirdfeeder 120 is then hung from a bottom hook 104 attached to thehanging apparatus 100. Alternately the feeder 120 could be replaced by abirdhouse (not shown). When a single or plurality of birds 150 lands onthe feeder 120, the presence of the birds 150 will be sensed byelectronics contained within the hanging apparatus 100. The electronicswill then activate a motor/gearbox (not shown) whose shaft is attachedto the bottom hook 104 which will then, in turn, rotate the feeder 120at a sufficiently slow revolutions-per-minute speed RPM2 as to notstartle the birds 150. The electronics contained within the hangingapparatus 100 can also detect when a larger animal, such as a bottomsquirrel 130, jumps onto the feeder 120. The hanging apparatus 100 willthen rotate the feeder around in a circular fashion at a fastrevolutions-per-minute speed RPM1 sufficient to make the bottom squirreluncomfortable and jump back off the feeder 120. In another attempt, atop squirrel 140 climbs down onto the feeder 120 from above. However, hehas to first apply his own body weight to the hanging apparatus 100.Electronics contained within the hanging apparatus 100 will again detectthe force being applied to hanging apparatus's 100 outer shell and startto turn the feeder 120 at the fast speed RPM1. The top squirrel 140 willthen be startled and not want to jump onto a rotating feeder 120 andwill simply leave in frustration.

Refer now to FIG. 2 which illustrates a cutaway cross-sectional sideview of the hanging apparatus 100. The top hook 102 is shown attached toa printed circuit board 220 that is populated with the electronics (notshown). The top hook 102 must be made of a suitably strong metal orother material to be able to support not only the hanging apparatus's100 own weight, but also the weight of a large feeder completely filledwith birdseed (not shown). The top hook 102 must also be strong enoughto sustain the weight of the largest rodents (not shown) found here inthe United States and abroad. Further, since the hanging apparatus 100is to be used outdoors, the top hook 102 is preferably made of amaterial that will not rust, such as stainless steel. The top hook 102includes an internally threaded portion 232, and is connected to theprinted circuit board 220 by passing a small mounting screw 230 througha hole in printed circuit board 220 and screwing the screw 230 into theinternally threaded portion 232 of hook 102. This small screw 230 ispreferably a machine screw made of a suitably strong material to againsupport a wide range of loads. The small screw 230 must also be largeenough to support a wide range of loads and yet small enough to allowthe printed circuit board 220 to flex along its vertical axis due tovarying loads. Likewise, the printed circuit board 220 is preferablymade of suitably strong material such as fiberglass. The printed circuitboard 220 is thick enough to again support a wide range of loads and yetbe thin enough to allow flexing along its vertical axis due to varyingloads.

The printed circuit board 220 is also shown in FIG. 2 attached to ahousing 210 through the use of a couple of printed circuit boardmounting screws 214. The diameter of the housing 210 is preferablysufficiently large to force top squirrels 140, shown in FIG. 1, to applytheir own body weight to the housing 210 when stretching around theoutside of the housing 210. The housing 210 can be injection moldedusing a plastic material such as a black acrylonitrile-butadiene-styreneor equivalent that is very durable outdoors and whose color will notfade over time. Furthermore, to prevent hardening and cracking overtime, an ultraviolet stabilized curing agent should also be used in themanufacturing process of the housing 210. The printed circuit boardmounting screws 214 are preferably made of suitable metal to support awide range of loads. Also, their location is far enough away from thesmall screw 230 to allow the printed circuit board 220 to flex along itsvertical axis due to varying loads. However, the vertical flexing of theprinted circuit board 220 must never be allowed to exceed beyond itsmechanical limits. For safety reasons, mechanical stops (not shown) maybe employed to prevent the printed circuit board 220 from flexing beyondits maximum limits.

Shown also in FIG. 2 is a grommet 222 that is press-fitted into a holeat the top center of the housing 210 making a tight seal against thehousing 210 and top hook 102 for preventing moisture from seeping intothe hanging apparatus 100. This grommet 222 is preferably made of anelastic rubber or plastic or silicon rubber which will allow the grommet222 to flex as varying loads are applied. Furthermore, the grommet mustalso be durable enough to not degrade or harden over time from extremeoutdoor environments. Consequently an ultraviolet stabilized curingagent should be used in the manufacturing process of the grommet 222. Inaddition, the housing 210 is also shown having an extended overhang 262to help protect all components, connected to a base plate 254, fromrain, dust, sand, and snow. The base plate 254 is connected to thehousing 210 using a multitude of base plate mounting screws 252. Theoverhang 262, which is part of the housing 210, preferably extendsbeyond the most protruding part not including the bottom hook 104 whichis connected to the shaft of a motor/gearbox 240. For safety reasons,the bottom hook 104 is securely attached to the shaft of themotor/gearbox 240 for handling the largest of anticipated loads.Furthermore, the bottom hook 104 is preferably made of a suitably strongmetal or other material to be able to support a large feeder completelyfilled with birdseed (not shown). The bottom hook 104 must also bestrong enough to sustain the weight of the largest rodents found here inthe United States and abroad. Further, since the hanging apparatus 100is to be used outdoors, the bottom hook 104 is preferably made of amaterial that will not rust, such as stainless steel. Also shown in FIG.2 are a plurality of electrical wires 212 which are electricallyconnected from the printed circuit board 220 to the motor/gearbox 240,to a plurality of battery holders 250, and to an electrical switch 258.The wires 212 are made of a suitable gauge wire to allow sufficientcurrent to flow between the printed circuit board 220 and theaforementioned electrically connected components. Preferably, thebattery holders 250 are plastic-injection molded as part of either thehousing 210 or the base plate 254. In addition, the geometrical positionof the battery compartments is symmetrically spaced to help stabilizethe apparatus during rotation. As a result, the battery holders 250 areplaced at equal-distances from each other and from the vertical axisthrough the center of the device. A plurality of battery access doors260 are attached to the battery holders 250. Hinges (not shown) are usedconnect the doors 260 to the base plate 254. When closed, the doors 260are secured to the base plate 254 using a plurality of battery coverscrews 256.

FIG. 3 illustrates a bottom view of the hanging apparatus 100. As can beseen, a pair of electronic switch mounting screws 310 are used to securethe switch 258 to the base plate 254. The switch 258 is mounted towardsthe outside edges of the base plate 254 allowing easy access. Note thatswitch 258 includes a slider 330 that may be moved to any of threepositions: 1) OFF, 2) Squirrel; and 3) Squirrel+Bird. The switchpositions shown in FIG. 3 are specifically applicable to the firstembodiment, explained in detail below with reference to FIGS. 4-8. Theslider 330 is shown in FIG. 3 in the “Squirrel” position. Also shown inthe figure are a pair of motor/gearbox housing mounting screws 320 whichare used to secure the motor/gearbox 240 to the base plate 254. Mostcracks (not shown) in the base plate 254 are sealed, for example, withsilicone rubber, to prevent moisture from seeping into the hangingapparatus 100. However, some cracks (not shown) on the lowest portion ofthe base place 254 may be left purposely open to allow naturalcondensation buildup to seep out. This buildup of condensation typicallyoccurs during the transitional periods between the seasons in geographicareas with two or more seasons. Lastly, all aforementioned screws inboth FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 are preferably made of a sufficiently strongmaterial that does not rust, such as stainless steel.

Referring now to FIG. 4, a block diagram shows some of the components inapparatus 100A in accordance with a first embodiment of the presentinvention. Apparatus 100A represents one suitable variation of apparatus100 shown in FIGS. 1-3. A controller 410 is coupled to an animal sensingmechanism 420, to a motor 240, to a buzzer 450, and to a vibrator 460.As discussed above with reference to FIG. 2, motor 240 may include agearbox to achieve the desired speed of rotation of the motor shaft thatis coupled to hook 104, and the term “motor” as used herein and in theclaims expressly extends to both motors and motors with gearboxes.Animal sensing mechanism 420 is preferably a weight-sensing mechanism,such as a load cell. However, the preferred embodiments extend to anysuitable implementation for animal sensing mechanism 420, includingweight sensors, vibration sensors, sound sensors, motion sensors,mercury switches that detect a tilt, etc. In the most preferredimplementation, animal sensing mechanism 420 is a load cell thatdelivers a signal to controller 410 that is proportional to the weightdetected on hook 104 in FIG. 2. A simple and inexpensive load cell maybe provided by bonding one or more strain gauges directly onto theprinted circuit board 220 in FIG. 2 at points where the printed circuitboard 220 flexes when weight is applied to housing 210 or to hook 104.

Buzzer 450 is an audio device that is provided to scare away unwantedanimals. Buzzer 450 may be any suitable electronic buzzer or beeper, andmay be activated to provide a constant buzz or beep, or may be activatedto provide an intermittent buzz or beep. Buzzer 450 may also be used toprovide an audible warning when there is a problem, such as lowbatteries, a feeder that cannot rotate (e.g., due to tree branches),etc. Vibrator 460 is likewise provided to scare away unwanted animals.Vibrator 460 causes the housing 210 and hook 104 to vibrate, which willtypically aid in scaring away the unwanted animal. One suitableimplementation for vibrator 460 is a small motor with an offset camattached to its shaft that causes vibration when the motor is activated.

Controller 410 includes a first animal specification 412 and a secondanimal specification 414. In the load cell example, the first animalspecification 412 may specify that animals of a first type (e.g., birds)are from 1 to 200 grams, and the second animal specification 414 mayspecify that animals of a second type (e.g., squirrels) are 200 grams ormore. The controller also contains a slow speed specification 416 and afast speed specification 418. Research has shown that a slow speedspecification 416 of 3-6 revolutions per minute (RPM) allows turning anavian enclosure to view the birds without scaring the birds away.Research has also shown that a fast speed specification 418 of 70-100RPM is sufficient to scare away squirrels. When an animal lands on theavian enclosure suspended from hook 104 in FIG. 2, or lands on thehousing 210 of apparatus 100 in FIG. 2, the load cell that makes upanimal sensing mechanism 420 will detect the increase in weight, and thecontroller will automatically cause the motor 240 to run at the slowspeed if the detected animal is of a first type, and will cause themotor 240 to run at the fast speed if the detected animal is of a secondtype. In this manner, apparatus 100A automatically rotates at a slowspeed when birds are present on the avian enclosure, and automaticallyrotates at a fast speed when squirrels or larger animals are present onthe avian enclosure or on the apparatus.

Slow speed specification 416 and fast speed specification 418 may befixed values. For example, slow speed specification 416 could be a fixedspeed from 3-6 RPM and fast speed specification 418 could be a fixedspeed from 70-100 RPM. Note, however, that one or both of slow speedspecification 416 and fast speed specification 418 may includealgorithms or heuristics that vary the speed of rotation. If the speedof rotation needs to be changed, the speed adjustment mechanism 470 isused. In one specific implementation, the slow speed specification 416is set to a fixed value from 3-6 RPM, while the fast speed specification418 begins at a relatively fast value, and increases speed at fixed timeincrements until the undesired animal jumps off the avian enclosure.

Referring to FIG. 5, a method 500 describes the steps performed byapparatus 100A in FIG. 4 in accordance with the first embodiment. Weassume for this sample method 500 that slow speed specification 416 andfast speed specification 418 are both fixed values. Method 500 waits(step 510=NO) until an animal is detected (step 510=YES). Once an animalis detected, a timer is started (step 520). If the detected animal is ofthe first type (step 530=YES), the motor is run at the first speed (step540). If the detected animal is of the second type (step 530=NO), themotor is run at the second speed (step 550). Method 500 then waits (step560=NO) until the timer times out (step 560=YES). Once the timer timesout, the motor is stopped (step 570), and method 500 loops back to step510, waiting for another animal to be detected. The timer determines howlong the motor will run. In the preferred embodiments, a timer value ofapproximately one minute has been found to be long enough that willgenerally assure that squirrels and other unwanted animals will leavethe avian enclosure before the motor quits running, yet short enough toprovide good battery life. Of course, it is within the scope of thefirst embodiment to provide different timer values depending on whetherthe detected animal is of the first type or second type. In this manner,the motor could be run at a slow speed for two minutes when a bird isdetected, and could be run at a fast speed for fifteen seconds when asquirrel is detected.

Referring now to FIG. 6, an apparatus 600 is one specific implementationin accordance with the first embodiment for apparatus 100A in FIG. 4.Microcontroller 410 is coupled to a load cell circuit 620, to a voltageregulator 630, to a switch 258, to a buzzer 450, to a motor 240, and toa vibrator 460. Load cell circuit 620 is coupled to a signalconditioning circuit 622 to allow the microcontroller 410 to read theoutput of the load cell circuit 620. The load cell circuit 620 mayinclude a single strain gauge mounted on the printed circuit board 220of FIG. 2 at a point of flexing. In the alternative, the load cellcircuit 620 may include multiple strain gauges mounted on the printedcircuit board 220. Of course, one or more separate load cells, such ascompression or beam load cells, may also be used that could be coupledin any manner within housing 210 such that weight applied to housing 210or lower hook 104 is detected by the load cell circuit 620.

The voltage regulator 630 receives a voltage input from the battery 640via switch 258 when the switch is in either of the On1 or On2 positions.The switch terminal that provides battery voltage to the voltageregulator 630 is labeled “C” in FIG. 6 to show that this terminal iscommon to both the On1 and On2 positions (which correspond to Squirreland Squirrel+Bird, respectively, in FIG. 3). The voltage regulator 630regulates the voltage from battery 640 and provides a regulated outputVCC. Voltage regulator 630 also provides a low drop out (LDO) output tosignal the microcontroller 410 when the battery voltage 640 has droppedto the point that the voltage regulator 630 can no longer regulate theoutput VCC. The LDO signal can thus be used to signal to themicrocontroller 410 that the batteries 640 need to be replaced. Inresponse, the controller may generate a specific pattern of beeps onbuzzer 450 to alert the user that the batteries need to be replaced.Note that batteries 640 represent any suitable source of DC voltage. Inthe specific implementation shown in FIGS. 1-3, three “C” cells are usedin series to provide a battery voltage of approximately 4.5 volts DC.

Buzzer 450 may be any suitable buzzer. In the preferred implementationof the first embodiment, buzzer 450 is a piezoelectric buzzer mounteddirectly to the printed circuit board 220. When buzzer 450 is apiezoelectric buzzer, the piezoelectric buzzer may be used as an inputdevice that senses vibrations as well as an audio output device. Motor240 is any suitable motor, and may include a suitable gearbox to providethe desired speeds of rotation for hook 104. Microcontroller 410provides an output that drives a field-effect transistor (FET) 662 thatacts as an electronically-controlled switch to complete the path betweenthe ground terminal of the motor 240 and the circuit ground. A pull-downresistor R3 638 is provided to keep the motor 240 from turning oninadvertently before the pin of the microcontroller 410 drives the gateof FET 662 to a logic LOW. Vibrator 460, as discussed above, may be anysuitable device that is capable of vibrating the hook 104 or the housing210. The manner in which the microcontroller 410 drives the vibrator 460depends on its specific configuration. For the example of a motor withan offset cam, the vibrator 460 could be driven in the same manner shownfor motor 240.

The microcontroller 410 includes an input that is coupled to the On2terminal of the power switch 258. This signal passes through a voltagedivider circuit made up of resistors R1 632 and R2 634, tomicrocontroller 410. Note that switch 258 includes a contact wiper thatis shown in solid lines in the OFF position, and is shown in phantomlines in the On1 and On2 positions. When the switch 258 is in the OFFposition or in the On1 position, there is no connection from the battery640 to the On2 terminal in the switch 258. As a result, the logic levelon the input to the microcontroller 410 is LOW due to the pull-downresistor R2 634. When the switch 258 is in the On2 position, the voltagefrom battery 640 is coupled to the On2 terminal, which provides a logicHIGH on the input to the microcontroller 410. This input thus indicatesto microcontroller 410 whether the switch 258 is in the On1 position orthe On2 position. In the most preferred implementation, the On1 positionis selected for fast rotation for rodents, while the On2 position isselected for fast rotation for rodents plus slow rotation for birds.

A detailed flow diagram for the apparatus 600 of FIG. 6 is shown inFIGS. 7 and 8. In step 710, all variables and flags are initialized todefault values. The variables and flags are described at the top of FIG.7. The current weight “W” is measured at step 712. Note that many stepsin FIGS. 7 and 8 go to “SLEEP” mode. SLEEP mode is a mode that savesbattery life by placing the controller 410 into a low power state. SLEEPmode preferably lasts only a few seconds (typically two). When sleepmode is exited, method 700 measures the current weight in step 712.

If P_FLAG is set (step 714=YES), the apparatus has just been powered up,so built-in tests need to be performed to assure the apparatus isfunctioning correctly. If P_FLAG is not set (step 714=NO), but the errorcount E_CNT is greater than zero (step 716=YES), the built-in tests needto be performed again. If the apparatus has not just been powered up(step 714=NO) and the error count is zero (step 716=NO), the weight iscompared to the rodent threshold (which corresponds to the second animalspecification 414 in FIG. 4) to determine whether the detected animal isa rodent (step 718). Step 718 determines whether the current weight “W”is less than the previous weight W_(P) plus the rodent specificationW_(R). Using the numbers given above, we assume that a small birdweighs, for example, from 1 to 200 grams, and anything larger than 200grams is an undesired animal. So step 718 determines whether the changein weight on the apparatus exceeds 200 grams. If so (step 718=NO), weknow the animal is an undesired animal. The R_CNT value is incremented(step 720). If the R_CNT value is less than a specified maximum numberof rotation periods for rodents M (step 722=YES), the buzzer andvibrator are activated (step 724) and the motor is activated at a fastspeed determined by R_CNT for a predetermined period of time (step 726).After step 726, method 700 enters sleep mode. When method 700 exitssleep mode at step 712, we assume the P_FLAG is cleared (step 714=NO)and we assume the E_CNT is zero (step 716=NO). If the weight of therodent is still there (step 718=NO), R_CNT is incremented again (step720). If the number of rotation periods is less than the specifiedmaximum for a rodent (step 722=YES), the buzzer and vibrator areactivated again (step 724). At this point, the speed is increased by thespeed adjustment mechanism 470 in FIG. 4 according to the increasedvalue of R_CNT (step 726). Note also that the specified period in step726 could be increased as a function of R_CNT as well.

A simple example will illustrate. Let's assume that M, the maximumnumber of rotation periods for a rodent, is set to 5. In this case, whena rodent is first detected, R_CNT is incremented to a value of one instep 720. One is less than five, so step 722=YES. The buzzer andvibrator are activated in step 724, and the feeder is rotated at a speedthat is a function of R_CNT for some period of time that may also be afunction of R_CNT. On the next iteration, R_CNT is incremented in step720 to a value of two (step 720), which is still less than five (step722=YES). Buzzer and vibrator are activated again (step 724), and thespeed of rotation is increased in step 726 because the value of R_CNTincreased from one to two. The same happens for the next two iterations,when R_CNT is incremented to values of three and four. On the fifthiteration, R_CNT is incremented to a value of five, so R_CNT is nolonger less than M (step 722=NO). As a result, the previously measuredweight of the feeder is set to the current weight, and R_CNT is reset tozero (step 728). We fashion the algorithm in step 726 such that we aregenerally assured that a rodent will no longer be on the feeder by thetime R_CNT=M. However, if the rodent is still present when R_CNT=M, theprevious weight W_(P) is set to the current weight W, and R_CNT is setto zero. In effect, if the rodent is still present when R_CNT=M, method700 gives up trying to spin the rodent off. As a result, when the weightW is measured in step 712 upon exiting sleep mode, method 700 will nolonger detect that the rodent is present. This mode of operation savesbatter life in the event that a stubborn squirrel somehow is able tohang on for M rotation periods.

Step 726 shows an algorithmic implementation for fast speedspecification 418, where rotation begins at one speed and isincrementally increased for every rotation period. Note that the fastspeed specification 418 in FIG. 4 can include variations in both speedand time. Thus, step 726 could start the feeder rotating at a fixedrelatively fast speed for a short time period, and with each increase inspeed, the time period is increased as well. The preferred embodimentsexpressly extend to any and all algorithms and heuristics for slow speedspecification 416 and fast speed specification 418 (FIG. 4).

If the weight sensed in step 718 is less than the rodent specification(step 718=YES), method 700 checks to see if rotation for birds isenabled (step 730). If not (step 730=NO), method 700 checks to see ifthe feeder is off the apparatus (step 750). If so (step 750=YES), theF_FLAG is set to one (step 752) to indicate that the feeder is no longeron the apparatus. Method 700 then enters SLEEP mode. This loop willrepeat itself until the feeder is set back on the bottom hook (104 inFIGS. 1-3). When this occurs (step 750=NO), and the status of F_FLAG ischecked, and if F_FLAG is set, indicating the feeder was off theapparatus (step 754=YES), method 700 loops back to START for the purposeof reinitializing. The next time step 754 is performed, F_FLAG will becleared (step 754=NO), the previous weight is set to the current weight,and the value of R_CNT is reset to zero (step 756). After this, method700 enters into SLEEP mode. If the rotation for birds is enabled (step730=YES), the weight is checked again to see if it is greater than thelower threshold for birds (step 732). If not (step 732=NO), method 700continues at step 750. Otherwise (step 732=YES), the value of R_CNT isincremented (step 734). If R_CNT is less than K, which is the maximumnumber of rotation periods for a bird (step 736=YES), the feeder isrotated at a slow RPM for a long period of time (step 738). In thisspecific example, the slow RPM is a fixed slow speed specification 416,and the period of time is a fixed period of time. However, as discussedabove, it is equally within the scope of the preferred embodiments toprovide an algorithm for slow speed specification 416 that varies bothtime and speed of rotation. At this point, method 700 enters sleep mode.If the bird is still present when method 700 exits sleep mode in step712, we assume the same path in the flow will be followed (step 714=NO,step 716=NO, step 718=YES, step 730=YES, step 732=YES) until R_CNT isincremented (step 734). This continues until R_CNT equals K (step736=NO), at which point the previous weight is set to the currentweight, and R_CNT is reset to zero (step 740).

Referring now to FIG. 8, a method 800 for performing built-in self testsbegins by determining whether the error count E_CNT is greater than themaximum allowed error count N (step 810). If E_CNT is less or equal to N(step 810=NO), P_FLAG is set to zero (step 812), the buzzer is sounded(step 814), and the load cell is tested (step 816). If the load cell isOK (step 820=YES), the feeder is rotated for a short period to make surethe rotation works (step 822). If the feeder rotated OK (step 824=YES),the weight is checked to make sure it is less than the specified maximumW_(MAX) (step 826). The battery is then checked (step 828) by checkingthe status of the LDO output of the voltage regulator. If LDO is notasserted, we know the battery voltage is okay (step 830=YES), theprevious weight is set to the current weight (step 832), and the errorcount is reset to zero (step 834). At this point, method 800 entersSLEEP mode. If any error occurs, such as if the load cell is not OK(step 820=NO), if the feeder did not rotate (step 824=NO), if thedetected weight is greater than the maximum allowable weight (step826=NO), or if the battery is not OK (step 830=NO), the error countE_CNT is incremented (step 836), and method 800 then enters SLEEP mode.

If the error count E_CNT ever reaches a value that is greater than themaximum allowed error count N (step 810=YES), methods 700 and 800 willendlessly loop through steps 712, 714, 716=YES, and 810=YES. This loopwill repeat itself until the owner (not shown) can help remedy thesituation. The purpose of this is to conserve battery power. Once thisstate of idling due to excessive errors occurs, the preferred way toexit this loop is for the user to correct the problem and then cycle thepower to the apparatus by turning the power switch off, then back onagain. Of course, a separate reset switch could also be provided thatallows method 700 to begin anew at step 710.

A second embodiment of the present invention allows a user to controlthe apparatus via a wireless remote control. A system 900 in accordancewith the second embodiment is shown in FIG. 9 to include an apparatus100B and a wireless remote control 960. Apparatus 100B represents onesuitable variation of apparatus 100 shown in FIGS. 1-3. Apparatus 100Bincludes a wireless receiver 950 that receives messages from a wirelessremote control 960, and that passes those messages to the controller910. In response, the controller 910 may perform one or more actionscorresponding to the received message. Controller 910 includes a slowspeed specification 416, a fast speed specification 418, and a speedadjustment mechanism 470.

The wireless remote control 960 may send different messages that tellthe apparatus 100B to rotate the motor 240 at a slow speed determined byslow speed specification 416, to rotate the motor 240 at a fast speeddetermined by fast speed specification 418, to increase or decrease thespeed of the motor 240 using speed adjustment mechanism 470, to stoprotation of the motor 240, to activate buzzer 450, or to activatevibrator 460. Note that buzzer 450 is one suitable example of an audiodevice that may be activated by controller 910. One of the purposes ofbuzzer 450 and vibrator 460 is to scare away animals. Thus, if a usersees an undesirable animal, such as a crow or a squirrel, on a birdfeeder suspended from apparatus 100B, the user may press a button on thewireless remote control 960 that will cause the controller 910 toactivate the buzzer 450 and/or vibrator 460 to scare away theundesirable animal. Note that the wireless communication betweenwireless remote control 960 and wireless receiver 950 may use anysuitable form of wireless communication, including without limitationradio frequency (RF), infrared, and all other forms of wirelesscommunication, whether currently known or developed in the future.

Referring now to FIG. 10, a method 1000 in accordance with the secondembodiment is preferably performed by the wireless remote control 960 ofFIG. 9. The wireless remote control 960 waits (step 1010=NO) until auser selects a function on the wireless remote control (step 1010=YES).The wireless remote control 960 then transmits a wireless messagecorresponding to the selected function (step 1020). Method 1100 in FIG.11 represents a method that is preferably performed by the controller910. The controller waits (step 1110=NO) until it receives a wirelessmessage from the wireless remote control (step 1110=YES). The controllerthen performs the selected function that corresponds to the receivedmessage (step 1120). Thus, if the user selects to activate the buzzer450 in step 1010 by pressing an appropriate button on the wirelessremote control 960, the wireless remote control 960 transmits one ormore messages that correspond to the “activate buzzer” action in step1020. When the controller receives the “activate buzzer” message (step1110=YES), the controller activates the buzzer 450 in step 1120.

A third embodiment of the present invention allows bidirectionalcommunication between the apparatus and the wireless remote control. Asystem 1200 in accordance with the third embodiment is shown in FIG. 12to include an apparatus 100C and a wireless remote control 1260.Apparatus 100C represents one suitable variation of apparatus 100 shownin FIGS. 1-3. Apparatus 100C in accordance with the third embodimentincludes a controller 1210 that includes the first animal specification412, second animal specification 414, slow speed specification 416, fastspeed specification 418, and speed adjustment mechanism 470. Note thatapparatus 100C includes the capability of communicating with a wirelessremote control 1260, but in this third embodiment the communicationbetween apparatus 100C and remote control 1260 is bidirectional.Wireless remote control 1260 preferably includes an audible warningmechanism 1262 and a visual warning mechanism 1264. The audible warningmechanism 1262 preferably provides beeps from the wireless remotecontrol 1260 that inform the user when an animal is detected. The visualwarning mechanism 1264 may include any visual display device, includingwithout limitation light-emitting diodes (LEDs) and liquid crystaldisplays (LCDs).

The apparatus 100C may optionally include a microphone 1270 and aspeaker 1280 coupled to the controller 1210, and may further include amicrophone 1266 in the wireless remote control 1260. The microphone 1270in apparatus 100C allows a user to hear the birds at the birdhouse orfeeder. The controller 1210 can transmit the audio data received frommicrophone 1270 to the wireless remote control 1260, where the audiodata may be played on a speaker or other audio device, such as theaudible warning mechanism 1262. In this manner, when a bird is detected,a birdwatcher could enjoy hearing the song of the birds on the remotecontrol 1260. Apparatus 100C may further optionally include a speaker1280. A birdwatcher's voice picked up by microphone 1266 in the remotecontrol may be transmitted to the apparatus 100C and played on thespeaker 1280. In this manner, a birdwatcher could shout at an unwantedanimal or provide other sounds in an attempt to scare the unwantedanimal away.

The system 1200 shown in FIG. 12 may be programmed to provide anysuitable form of notification to a user. In an area where birds arerelatively rare, the user could program the system to provide a singlebeep when a bird is detected, and to provide three beeps when a squirrelis detected. In an area where birds are common, it might annoy the userto sound a beep each time a bird lands on the feeder, so the user couldprogram no notification for birds but one or more beeps to alert forsquirrels. The apparatus 100C allows a user to program his or herpreferences for type of notification for the first and second types ofanimals.

In addition, the user may program system 1200 according to the user'spreferences. For example, instead of using a three-position switch 258as shown in FIG. 6, a simple ON/OFF switch could be used. When ON, theuser could then program the apparatus according to the user'spreferences. For example, to conserve battery life, the user may selectno rotation when birds are detected, but fast rotation when squirrelsare detected. In addition, the user could independently program the timeperiod for both slow and fast rotation. The third embodiment expresslyextends to the capability of allowing a user to program any and allfunctional parameters for system 1200, preferably using wireless remotecontrol 1260.

Lastly, the user may wish to program system 1200, according to theuser's preferences, to be notified when a particular bird species hasbeen detected. This process is made possible by using standard digitalsignal processing (DSP) voice recognition algorithms. For example, theuser may wish to be notified when the usually seasonal “gold finches”(not shown) have once again arrived in the near region. In this example,the user would select “Gold Finches” from the LCD display 1580 on thewireless remote control 1260 in FIG. 15. The remote 1260 would thenprogram the system 1200 to “search” for audio signals that match thegold finches' specific “per-chick-o-ree” sounds. The system 1200 (FIG.12) would then notify the wireless remote control 1260 via wirelesscommunication when that particular bird species' “per-chick-o-ree” audiosounds have been recognized. The data required to accomplish this taskcould easily be digitized and stored into various look-up read-onlymemory (ROM) tables in either wireless remote control 1260 or system1200 in FIG. 12.

Referring to FIG. 13, a method 1300 in accordance with the preferredembodiments is performed by controller 1210 of FIG. 12. Method 1300waits (step 1310=NO) until an animal is detected (step 1310=YES). Thecontroller then transmits a wireless message to provide an alert of thedetected animal (step 1320). Note that in FIG. 12, the wireless remotecontrol 1260 receives the message sent by controller 1210 via wirelesstransceiver 1250, and provides an audible warning via audible warningmechanism 1262, a visual warning via visual warning mechanism 1264, orboth. However, in an alternative embodiment, a receiver separate fromwireless remote control 1260 may be used to provide any suitable type ofuser notification. For example, a receiver could have a plug that isplugged into a standard alternating current receptacle in a house, andcould also have a receptacle that allows an electrical device, such as alamp, to be plugged into the receiver. With the lamp turned on, thereceiver could then use the lamp as a visual indicator of an animal onthe feeder by having the visual warning mechanism 1264 selectively applypower to the receptacle on the receiver, thereby flashing the lamp. Aslow flash could indicate a bird, while a fast flash could indicate asquirrel. The receiver could also be wired into the house wiring toselectively activate any desired circuit by the visual warning mechanism1264 or audible warning mechanism 1262. For example, a hall light couldbe flashed by visual warning mechanism 1264 to indicate the presence ofbirds or squirrels. In addition, many doorbells that are commerciallyavailable have two different connections, which are intended to providedifferent sounds depending on whether the front doorbell or the backdoorbell is rung. However, many homes do not have doorbells on theirback doors. The audible warning mechanism 1262 could selectivelyactivate the back door doorbell to provide an audible warning of birdsand/or squirrels. The preferred embodiments expressly extend to any andall receivers that are capable of providing either an audible warning, avisual warning, or both, to a user, whether incorporated into wirelessremote control 1260 or separate from wireless remote control 1260.

A sample detailed implementation in accordance with the third embodimentis shown by apparatus 1400 in FIG. 14. Most of the features of apparatus1400 are common with apparatus 600 in FIG. 6, and function as explainedabove with reference to FIG. 6. However, in addition, apparatus 1400includes an RF transceiver 1480 coupled to microcontroller 1410 fortransmitting and receiving wireless messages. RF transceiver 1480 iscoupled to a suitable antenna 1482 and to a DIP switch 1490. DIP switch1490 is of the type commonly found in garage door openers that allow auser to select a code. In the preferred implementation, the wirelessremote control 1260 in FIG. 12 will have a DIP switch similar to DIPswitch 1490 that allows a user to set the codes the same on theapparatus 1400 and on the wireless remote control 1260. In addition, onswitch 258 the On1 position could correspond to an “auto” mode thatcauses apparatus 100C in FIG. 12 to rotate slowly when birds are presentand to rotate fast when a rodent is detected. The On2 position of switch258 could then correspond to a “remote” mode that causes the apparatus100C in FIG. 12 to operate the same as in “auto” mode, except thatoperation may now be preempted or separately controlled via a wirelessremote control.

Referring to FIG. 15, one sample wireless remote control 1260 within thescope of the preferred embodiments is shown. Remote control 1260preferably includes a spin slow button 1510, a spin fast button 1520,buttons 1530 and 1540 that reduce or increase, respectively, the speedof rotation, a stop button 1550 to stop rotation, a vibrate button 1560to cause the vibrator in the apparatus to be activated, and a beepbutton 1570 to cause the buzzer in the apparatus to be activated. Inaddition, the remote control 1260 includes two light emitting diodes(LEDs) 1264A and 1264B that provide a visual warning when a bird orsquirrel, respectively, are on the avian enclosure. Remote control 1260further includes a speaker, represented by 1262, that provides anaudible warning, and that allows the user to hear sounds at thebirdhouse or feeder via microphone 1270 (FIG. 12). Remote control 1260further includes a liquid crystal display (LCD) 1580 that cancommunicate any desired information to the user. For example, the word“SQUIRREL!” may flash on the LCD display 1580 when a squirrel isdetected on the avian enclosure. To avoid losing the remote control1260, a suction cup could be provided that allows the remote control1260 to be stuck to a window from which the avian enclosure may beviewed.

A user may press any of the buttons on the wireless remote control 1260to perform any function, regardless of how the apparatus is currentlyfunctioning. For example, let's assume the system 1400 is configured forautomatic operation, as shown in method 500 of FIG. 5, with the switchin the On2 position. In this mode, the motor will turn slowly when abird is detected, and will turn fast when a rodent is detected. Let'sassume, however, that the user wants to stop rotation to keep aparticular bird in view. The user could simply press the Stop button1550, which would override the automatic slow rotation and stop themotor. In the alternative, let's assume an undesirable bird, such as acrow, lands on the feeder. The feeder may start to rotate slowly, butthe user could press the Spin Fast button 1520 to cause the feeder to berotated at the fast speed to cause the unwanted bird to leave. In thealternative, the user could press the Vibrate button 1560 and/or thebeep button 1570 to scare the unwanted bird away. The system 1400 of thepreferred embodiments is very powerful because it allows automaticdetection and rotation of an avian enclosure at two different speedsdepending on the type of the detected animal, yet also allows a user tooverride and manually perform any desired function by pressingappropriate buttons on the remote control 1260. Note that remote control1260 could include other buttons such as alphanumeric keys that allowthe user greater flexibility in programming the apparatus 100C in FIG.12.

Note that remote control 960 shown in FIG. 9 could have all of thefeatures shown in FIG. 12 except for those that require communicationfrom the hanging apparatus 100C. Thus, a remote control 960 wouldpreferably include buttons 1510, 1520, 1530, 1540, 1550, 1560, and 1570shown in FIG. 15 to remotely control the hanging apparatus 100B in FIG.9.

The preferred embodiments also allow detecting when a bird feeder is lowon feed, and automatically notifying the user. The apparatus can includea calibration routine that allows the user to hang the empty feeder onthe apparatus, specify that the feeder is empty, then hang the feederfull of feed on the apparatus, and specify that the feeder is full. Theload cell can effectively weigh the empty feeder and the full feeder,and determine the weight of the feed. The user may then specify apredetermined threshold value for feed, such as 10% or 20%. Thecontroller may then notify the user when the feed falls below thespecified threshold value. Once the level of feed (as measured by theload cell) falls below the threshold value, a message is sent to thereceiver to notify the user that the feed is low in the feeder. Asuitable indicator for low feed is shown on remote control 1260 as alight emitting diode 1582. Of course, the words “FEED LOW” could bedisplayed on the LCD display 1580 when the remote control 1260 receivesthe message that indicates that the feed level is low. In thealternative, the buzzer 450 may be activated to beep at the feeder toindicate the feed level is low. Automatically notifying a user when morefeed is needed eliminates manual checking that is required in the priorart to make sure the feed does not run out.

The down and up speed buttons 1530 and 1540, respectively, allow theuser to adjust the speed of rotation. Thus, if a squirrel is resistingjumping off the feeder the user could increase the speed of rotation bypressing and holding the up speed button 1540 until the rotation is atthe desired speed. These buttons 1530 and 1540 also allow the user tomodify the slow speed specification and fast speed specification in thecontroller to his or her own preference, if desired. In the alternative,the slow speed specification and fast speed specification could remainat their factory settings, with the user dynamically adjusting the speedof rotation as required using the down and up speed adjustment buttons1530 and 1540.

Refer now to FIG. 16, which illustrates a perspective view of analternative version of the present invention, shown mounted onto a pole1610. A pole-mounted pest deterrent apparatus 100D is shown attached tothe top of the pole 1610 whose other end is mounted to a fixed anchor1620, such as the earth. The birdfeeder 120 is then mounted to thepole-mounted apparatus 100D. When the bottom squirrel 130 is detected,the pole-mounted apparatus 100D will start to rotate the feeder 120 at aspeed RPM1 that is sufficiently fast to make the bottom squirrel 130uncomfortable and want to jump off. Likewise, when the birds 150 aredetected, the pole-mounted apparatus 100D will start to rotate thefeeder 120 at a speed RPM2 that is sufficiently slow to make the birds150 comfortable and not want to fly away. The mechanics and electronicsfor the pole-mounted apparatus 100D are very similar to the hangingapparatus 100 shown in FIG. 1, except the hanging apparatus 100 fromFIG. 1 is mounted upside down to the pole 1610 in FIG. 16. The top hook102 in FIG. 1 would either be attached to or be replaced with a moresuitable attachment for the pole 1610 in FIG. 16. Likewise, the hangingapparatus 100 would have its bottom hook 104 in FIG. 1 either attachedto or be replaced with a more suitable attachment for a turntable-likedevice (not shown). The feeder 120 would then be attached to thisturntable. Note that the three different embodiments, namely 100A inFIG. 4, 100B in FIG. 9, and 100C in FIG. 12 are specific examples thatcould be implemented in either physical configuration 100 in FIGS. 1-3or 100D in FIG. 16.

Refer now to FIG. 17 that illustrates a perspective view of a remotecontrolled apparatus within the scope of the third embodiment. Abirdwatcher 1710 now has the added control of manually deciding whatanimals are allowed in their birdfeeder 120 or birdhouse. As a result,when a rodent 130 and/or birds 150 now land on the feeder 120 in FIG.17, a plurality of non-directional radio frequency signals 1730 aretransmitted over the airwaves to wireless remote control 1260 held bythe birdwatcher 1710. The remote control 1260 would then process theseradio frequency signals 1730 and announce, using a plurality of audiobeeps 1720, to the birdwatcher 1710 that something is on their feeder120. The birdwatcher 1710 then has the flexibility to decide if theywant to rotate the feeder at a fast variable speed making the rodentuncomfortable and want to jump off. Or the birdwatcher 1710 could decideto rotate the birdfeeder 120 at a slow variable speed turning thebirdfeeder 120 until the birds 150 can be easily seen. In order toaccomplish these tasks, the remote control 1260 would send, with thepress of a button, a plurality of directional infrared signals 1740 backto the hanging apparatus 100 in FIG. 1 or the pole mounted apparatus100D in FIG. 16.

While the invention has been particularly shown and described withreference to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood bythose skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may bemade therein without departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention. For example, the battery or batteries could be replaced withsolar panels or with a hard-wired power source. In addition, theapparatus 100 and 100D could be incorporated into the structure of afeeder or birdhouse. Specifically, the avian enclosures could bemanufactured with all of the necessary electronic and mechanicalcomponents contained inside the enclosure. The apparatus 100 and 100Dcould include a tachometer or other rotational sensor to monitor therotation of the avian enclosure, and could then adjust the drive to themotor to compensate for the lower voltage that results from batteriesbeing discharged. In addition, any suitable number of thresholds may beused within the scope of the preferred embodiments. For example, threeranges that correspond to small birds, big birds, and rodents could bedefined. The present invention expressly extends to any and all suitablethresholds that allow the apparatus to change its function based ondetecting two or more different types of animals.

1. An apparatus comprising: an animal sensing mechanism that detects ananimal; a wireless transmitter; and a controller coupled to the animalsensing mechanism and the wireless transmitter, the controller sendingat least one message via the wireless transmitter.
 2. The apparatus ofclaim 1 wherein the controller sends at least one message via thewireless transmitter when the animal sensing mechanism detects ananimal.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a bird feedercoupled to the apparatus, wherein the controller sends at least onemessage via the wireless transmitter when an amount of feed in the birdfeeder is below a predetermined threshold value.
 4. The apparatus ofclaim 1 further comprising an audio input mechanism coupled to thecontroller that monitors for at least one predetermined sound.
 5. Theapparatus of claim 4 wherein the controller sends at least one messagevia the wireless transmitter when the audio input mechanism detects theat least one predetermined sound.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1 furthercomprising a wireless receiver that receives the at least one messagefrom the wireless transmitter and, in response thereto, providesnotification to a user.
 7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein a wirelessremote control comprises the wireless receiver.
 8. The apparatus ofclaim 6 wherein the notification to the user comprises an audible sound.9. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the notification to the usercomprises a visible notification.
 10. The apparatus of claim 6 whereinthe controller determines from the animal sensing mechanism whether theanimal is of a first type or a second type, and wherein the controllersends a first message via the wireless interface if the animal is of thefirst type, and sends a second message via the wireless interface if theanimal is of the second type.
 11. The apparatus of claim 10 furthercomprising a motor coupled to the controller, wherein the controllerruns the motor at a first speed if the animal is of the first type. 12.The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the first speed is from 3 to 6revolutions per minute.
 13. The apparatus of claim 10 further comprisinga motor coupled to the controller, wherein the controller runs the motorat a second speed if the animal is of the second type.
 14. The apparatusof claim 13 wherein the second speed is from 70 to 100 revolutions perminute.
 15. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the wireless remote controlcomprises a transmitter that transmits a message in response to the userselecting a predefined function on the wireless remote control.
 16. Theapparatus of claim 15 further comprising a wireless receiver coupled tothe controller and a motor coupled to the controller, wherein thewireless receiver receives the message transmitted from the wirelessremote control, and in response thereto, the controller performs atleast one action.
 17. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein the at least oneaction comprises running the motor at a first speed.
 18. The apparatusof claim 17 wherein the at least one action comprises running the motorat a second speed.
 19. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein the at leastone action comprises stopping the motor.
 20. The apparatus of claim 16wherein the at least one action comprises changing the speed of themotor.
 21. The apparatus of claim 16 further comprising an audio devicecoupled to the controller, wherein the at least one action comprisescreating a sound on the audio device.
 22. The apparatus of claim 16further comprising a vibrator coupled to the controller, wherein the atleast one action comprises activating the vibrator.
 23. An apparatus forattaching to an avian enclosure comprising: a motor that is coupled tothe avian enclosure when the apparatus is attached to the avianenclosure such that running the motor causes rotation of the avianenclosure; a wireless receiver; and a controller coupled to the motorand the wireless receiver, the controller receiving at least one messagevia the wireless receiver and performing at least one actioncorresponding to the received message.
 24. The apparatus of claim 23wherein the at least one action comprises running the motor at a firstspeed.
 25. The apparatus of claim 24 wherein the at least one actioncomprises running the motor at a second speed.
 26. The apparatus ofclaim 23 wherein the at least one action comprises stopping the motor.27. The apparatus of claim 23 wherein the at least one action compriseschanging the speed of the motor.
 28. The apparatus of claim 23 furthercomprising an audio device coupled to the controller, wherein the atleast one action comprises creating a sound on the audio device.
 29. Theapparatus of claim 23 further comprising a vibrator coupled to thecontroller, wherein the at least one action comprises activating thevibrator.